PAAC Summer Training Survey
The 2008 Summer Training Survey was conducted in the Antelope Gulch area, northeast of Salida in Fremont County. Fifteen volunteers participated for two to three days each, and helped record a total of 15 archaeological sites dating from the entire range of the Late Paleoindian through the Historic period (ca. 9000 BC-AD 1930). Prehistoric artifacts such as projectile points, scrapers, knives, and flake tools were well-represented on the survey, along with a few ground stone manos. Especially prevalent was debitage (flaking debris) from intensive flintknapping activity involving use of locally available jasper, chert, and chalcedony toolstone materials. The Historic period record is not as abundant but includes logging- and mining-related sites such as camps and prospect pits from mineral exploration. The specific dates for the 2009 survey have not been set, but we will be returning to inventory state trust lands in the same Antelope Gulch area of northwestern Fremont County. This project is on lands surrounding a site described in a journal article by Donald Tucker (2001), “Stone Circles at Antelope Gulch, Fremont County, Colorado.” Southwestern Lore(67)1:1-17. 
As is true of previous PAAC training sites, because Antelope Gulch is in a remote location lacking public facilities of any sort, and involves hiking across somewhat rugged terrain, prospective participants must be in reasonably good physical condition. The ability to contend with hot summer days, bothersome insects, and generally primitive working conditions is a necessity. Volunteers must supply their own transportation, room and board, daypack and personal gear such as canteens, but there is no fee for participation. The Office of the State Archaeologist of Colorado (OSAC) supplies all surveying, recording and mapping equipment as well as the professional archaeologist(s) who supervises the volunteers. Prospective participants must submit (or have previously submitted) a signed PAAC application form, and completion of both the Basic Site Surveying Techniques, Historical Archaeology and Prehistoric Lithics Description & Analysis classes is highly recommended prior to field training. In general, the more PAAC classes one has completed the more rewarding the experience on the Summer Training Survey. However, if space is available, no classroom experience is required for participation on the survey. Applicants for the survey should identify on which specific dates they prefer to participate (two days minimum) and provide their mailing address, phone/fax, and e-mail address. The deadline for 2009 applications will be announced early in the new year. For further information, contact Assistant State Archaeologist at the Colorado Historical Society by mail (1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203), phone (303.866.4671), FAX (303.866.2711) or e-mail kevin.black@chs.state.co.us. *Adobe Acrobat Reader program is required to view and print PDF files.
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